Data sent by CHARLES A. THOMPSON (519-1988) tells of the loss of the I.J.N. aircraft carrier SYOKAKU on 19 June, 1944.

Basic Ship Data:

SYOKAKU (SHOKAKU) was the first of three ships in a series of heavy aircraft carriers that were built just prior to the beginning of World War II. They were laid down in 1937, launched in 1939, and commissioned in August of 1941.

Displacement................................................25,675 tons (standard)
Length.........................................................................257.5 meters
Beam................................................................................26 meters
Draft.............................................................................8.87 meters
Armor..................................same as I.J.N. heavy cruisers of the era
Speed.................................................................................34 knots
Power...................................................4-shaft turbines; 160,000hp (eight boilers)
Aircraft............................................................................96 aircraft
Guns............................................twelve 127mm dual-purpose guns
AA Guns..............................................thirty 25mm automatic guns

Damage to and Circumstances of the Loss of the Ship

During a battle in the Philippine Sea, SYOKAKU received three hits (as shown) from torpedoes fired from the American submarine USS CAVALLA (SS 244). The torpedoes caused serious damage to the carrier. Fires broke out and soon, flames engulfed the entire ship. SYOKAKU began to settle by the bow so rapidly that the sea water soon reached the flight deck. The sea poured into the hangar decks through the open bow elevator and quickly flooded the ship. The carrier quickly lost stability, rolled over and sank.

Conclusions:

As a result of three torpedoes hitting the ship, SYOKAKU lost stability, was quickly engulfed in flames, and sank in a few hours.

The loss of the I.J.N. aircraft carrier HIYO will be covered next month in KTB #111.